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Larry Moeder, Director
104 Fairchild Hall
785-532-6420
877-817-2287
E-mail: finaid@k-state.edu
www.k-state.edu/sfa
Kansas State University administers an extensive financial aid program to bridge the gap between family contribution and the cost of attending the university. Detailed information concerning financial aid is available on request from the Office of Student Financial Assistance, 104 Fairchild Hall.
The Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be used by students applying for all federal and state aid programs. Students may obtain the FAFSA from any high school counselor or from K-State. The priority date for submitting the FAFSA is March 1 before the fall semester in which the student intends to enroll.
Programs
Scholarships
Each year nearly 4,000 Kansas State University undergraduate students receive more than $7 million of scholarship assistance based on their academic records, financial need, and/or leadership qualities. Freshmen are encouraged to meet K-State’s early application deadline of November 1 of their senior year. All students should meet the final application deadline date of February 1 each year for the following academic year. To apply for K-State scholarships, go to the website. Applications and scholarship information are available from high school counselors, the Office of Student Financial Assistance, and the various colleges at K-State.
Grants
Approximately 5,000 students are assisted through the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.
Assistance exceeds $12 million. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the application for these programs and should be filed by March 1.
Teaching and Research Assistantships for Graduate Students
The principal objective of a graduate student is to pursue a concerted program of study that will normally lead to an advanced degree in the chosen academic discipline. To assist students to pursue their studies full-time, the University makes available financial assistance through a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships (GTA), graduate research assistantships (GRA) and graduate assistantships (GA). These assistantship appointments carry with them a service requirement, typically directed at improving professional skills in their academic fields. Award of an assistantship is based on the student’s ability and promise and is usually made for either nine or twelve months. The maximum appointment is 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE), but appointments for lesser fractions may be made. Continuation of appointments is subject to academic performance and the availability of funds. Information on applying for graduate assistantships may be obtained from the department concerned.
Students holding GTA, GRA, or GA appointments from September 1 through November 17 receive tuition benefits for the fall term, and students holding GTA, GRA, or GA appointments from February 1 through April 17 receive tuition benefits for the spring term. If a graduate appointment does not begin by these dates or terminates before these ending dates, all tuition benefits will be lost. The student then is responsible for the total tuition payment.
GTAs and GRAs on a 0.5 FTE appointment are eligible to participate in the Kansas Board of Regents GTA/GRA health insurance plan. Information about enrollment in the health insurance plan is available from Human Resources.
The maximum number of credit hours in which a graduate student employed on an assistantship can enroll is 12 hours for the fall and spring terms and 9 hours during the summer. Students desiring to enroll in credit hours exceeding the maximum number permitted should be in good academic standing and obtain permission from their advisor and forward the permission to the Graduate School for final approval. To fulfill the obligation that students pursue studies full-time, graduate assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 hours of credit during fall and spring terms. The Graduate School does not require that graduate students be enrolled during the summer. Individual departments may require minimum enrollment in any term. Information pertaining to minimum enrollment during the summer may be obtained from the department concerned.
Tuition responsibilities for graduate students appointed for 0.5 FTE depends on the nature of the appointment. Students holding a 0.5 FTE GRA, GTA, or GA appointments (or any combination of these appointments) are assessed tuition at the resident rate according to an established schedule.
Graduate students appointed as a GTA are eligible for a tuition waiver. Graduate students appointed on a full-time GTA appointment (0.5 FTE) receive a tuition waiver for a maximum of 10 hours in the fall and spring terms and 6 hours in the summer term. Hours taken during January intersession are counted in the total number of hours for the tuition waiver paid in the spring term. Hours taken during May and August intersessions are counted in the total number of hours for the tuition waiver paid in the summer term. Graduate students holding a 0.5 total FTE appointment during the fall, spring, or summer terms but an appointment of less than 0.5 FTE as a GTA are eligible to receive a partial tuition waiver based on the proportion of the teaching appointment. For example, a graduate student with a 0.2 GTA and 0.3 GRA for all three terms will receive a tuition waiver of 4 hours in each of the fall and spring terms and 2 hours tuition waiver for the summer term. Graduate students with a 20% (.1) GTA and 80% (.4) GRA appointment will be eligible to receive a tuition waiver of 2 hours in the fall and spring terms. Those with an 80% (.4) GTA and 20% (.1) GRA appointment will be eligible to receive a tuition waiver of 8 hours in the fall and spring terms. In all cases, the student will be responsible for paying the remainder of the tuition at the resident rate. GTA tuition waivers are provided for tuition benefits only; students will be responsible for campus privilege fees (student health, activity fees, etc).
The Kansas Board of Regents requires all prospective GTAs who are non-native speakers of English to achieve a:
minimum score of 50 on the TSE (Test of Spoken English)
OR
minimum score of 50 on the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK)
OR
minimum score of 22 on the speak section of the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
Disputes concerning graduate assistants (GTA/GRA/GA) are employment matters that should be originated with the appointing department and be addressed through normal supervisory channels. The student should begin addressing the concern with the assigned supervisor of the assistantship and, if necessary, proceed to the department or unit head. If the matter is not resolved at the department or unit level, the student may present it to the Dean of the College in which the (GTA/GRA/GA) is employed. Formal grievance procedures do not apply to these appointments.
Individuals should contact Affirmative Action or the Office of Student Life regarding employment disputes believed to constitute discrimination or harassment, as defined in the “Policy and Procedure for Discrimination and Harassment Complaints” section of the University Handbook.
Traineeships for Graduate Students
The university has a number of traineeships available. Several departments also have federally supported traineeships available under the programs of the National Institutes of Health and other agencies. Contact individual departments for information
Loans
K-State participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the Federal Perkins Loan, and the Health Professions Student Loan Programs. The university also manages three institutional loan programs: the alumni loan, the foundation loan, and the emergency student loan.
The Federal Family Educational Loan program is comprised of three separate loan types: the subsidized, unsubsidized, and parent loan. The subsidized loan is considered need-based aid, while the unsubsidized loan and PLUS are considered non-need-based aid.
The interest rates for each of these loan programs are variable and are set on July 1 of each year. The subsidized and unsubsidized loans have a capped interest rate of 8.25 percent, and the PLUS has a cap at 9 percent. The federal government pays the interest on the subsidized loan until the student enters repayment. The student borrower is responsible for the interest on the unsubsidized loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. The parent borrower is responsible for the interest on the PLUS loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.
Repayment of the subsidized and unsubsidized loans begins six months after the student drops below half-time status. Repayment of the PLUS begins 60 days after the loan has been disbursed in full. Borrowers can choose a repayment plan (standard, extended, graduated, or income-contingent) by contacting their lender.
The Federal Perkins Loan and the Health Professions Student Loan programs have a fixed interest rate of 5 percent. The interest on the loans begins when the student goes into repayment. Repayment on the Perkins Loan begins nine months after enrollment drops below half-time status. Repayment on the HPSL begins one year after enrollment drops below half-time status.
The alumni loan and the foundation loan charge six percent interest payable annually from the date of the loan, with $50 monthly payments beginning six months after the borrower is no longer a student at K-State. The emergency student loan is a short-term loan available to enrolled students who have exceptional circumstances. The loan must be repaid by the end of the semester in which it was taken.
Employment
Kansas State University provides services for students seeking part-time employment to help offset educational, living, and social expenses. K-State has two categories of jobs: college work-study program jobs and campus payroll jobs. In addition, students are frequently employed in off-campus positions. Available jobs are listed online.
To be employed on the hourly student payroll, a student must be enrolled in at least 6 resident semester credit hours at K-State during a fall or spring semester, and at least 3 resident semester credit hours at K-State during a summer semester, or have been enrolled in at least 6 resident semester credit hours at K-State during the preceding spring semester.
Services for veterans
The university maintains a veterans’ service to aid veterans, children, and spouses of deceased or 100 percent disabled veterans from a military services-connected disability or death in securing educational benefits.
Veterans who entered the military on or after July 1, 1985; have served at least two years; had their pay reduced or contributed $1,200 for education; and received an honorable discharge may be eligible for educational benefits if they are within 10 years from their final discharge date. Veterans who entered the military prior to January 1, 1977; received an honorable discharge; and are less than 10 years from their final discharge date may be eligible without any contribution. Veterans who entered military service between January 1, 1977, and July 1, 1985; have an honorable discharge; and contributed to the GI Bill may also be eligible. Certain conditions or restrictions may apply.
Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve consisting of reservists and National Guard who have after June 30, 1985, signed a six-year agreement and completed their initial active duty for training; have a high school diploma or GED; and are in good standing in a drilling reserve unit are eligible for educational benefits. Certain restrictions may apply.
Children of veterans with 100 percent service-connected permanent disability or deceased and identified as service-connected may receive educational benefits until age 26. Spouses have 10 years from the time the veteran was classified with the service-connected condition to be eligible to receive educational benefits. Certain restrictions may apply.
A new benefit makes certain reservists or National Guard members who were activated after September 11, 2001, either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits while in an approved training program for a contingency operation and serving at least 90 consecutive days or more. Certain conditions or restrictions may apply.
Information may be obtained from your nearest Veterans’ Administration Office or the Office of Student Financial Assistance (Veteran’s Office).
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require that financial aid recipients make satisfactory academic progress in order to remain eligible for federal financial assistance.
Satisfactory academic progress standards, therefore, apply to students receiving financial assistance from such program as: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), State of Kansas Scholarship, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Loan, Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Health Professions Student Loan, and College Work-Study. The only programs not covered by Kansas State University’s satisfactory academic progress policy are athletic grants-in-aid and non-federally funded forms of assistance.
To measure satisfactory academic progress, K-State has established a framework for evaluating a student’s successful progression toward a degree. This policy has two components: quantitative and qualitative. Students are monitored for satisfactory academic progress beginning with their first semester for which federal financial assistance is received.
Quantitative measure
Two measurements make up the quantitative portion of K-State’s satisfactory academic progress policy.
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Successful completion of courses
A student must successfully complete a minimum number of his/her scheduled courses for which federal financial assistance has been received. For example, if an undergraduate student’s financial assistance is calculated on a full-time basis (12 or more hours) for one semester, that student must, at a minimum, successfully complete at least 9 hours for that semester. See the chart below for further details.
Undergraduate requirements per semester
| Hours for which aid was received |
Minimum hours to
be successfully completed |
| 12 hours scheduled (full-time aid) |
9 hours |
| 9 hours scheduled (3/4-time aid) |
7 hours |
| 6 hours scheduled (1/2-time aid) |
7 hours |
Graduate requirements per semester
| Hours for which aid was received |
Minimum hours to
be successfully completed |
| *9 hours scheduled (full-time aid) |
7 hours |
| 7 hours scheduled (3/4-time aid) |
5 hours |
| 5 hours scheduled (1/2-time aid) |
4 hours |
*Graduate students eligible for veterans administration benefits are considered as full time students if they are enrolled in 6 hours or more.
Hours successfully completed in excess of the minimum requirement will result in the student earning “credits.” Such credits are carried forward to subsequent semester(s) as part of the student’s satisfactory academic progress record.
Alternatively, failure to meet the noted minimum requirements will result in the accumulation of “deficiencies,” which are also carried forward to subsequent semesters. Courses for which a grade of F, incomplete (I), (IX), withdrawn (WD), no grade recorded (NR), or no credit received (NC) is recorded are not considered to have been successfully completed.
Note: Graduate students will receive “credits” for any incompletes associated with research conducted as part of the published degree requirements, elective or required course work, or as part of developmental studies once credit has been posted.
Further Considerations for Graduate Students
A course cannot be counted twice for financial assistance purposes. Example: A student has received a D in a 3-credit-hour course and takes that course again in order to earn a higher grade. The credit hours have already been counted as financial assistance hours and cannot be counted again, even though the student’s GPA may be improved.
Courses in which a grade of F or incomplete (I), (IX), withdrawn (WD), no grade reported (NR), or no credit reported (NC) are not counted in the qualitative portion of the satisfactory academic progress standards. Graduate students receive credit for incompletes in research that follows the published degree requirements as elective or required courses, or courses taken as a part of developmental studies.
- Maximum time frame
Federal regulations have also established a maximum time frame in which a student is expected to have completed a program. At K-State, a student may not receive financial assistance if he/she has exceeded the following number of earned credit hours:
- Undergraduates: 180 hours
- Master’s degree students: 60 graduate hours
- Doctoral students: 120 graduate hours
Qualitative measure
In addition to the quantitative component for satisfactory academic progress, federal regulations also require that a student must, at a minimum, maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average after having completed 60 hours. K-State’s satisfactory academic progress policy requires that all students classified as juniors and above maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to receive financial assistance.
Undergraduate Financial assistance warning
Students who have accumulated any “deficiencies” (quantitative component) and/or who have failed to meet the minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (qualitative component) within a given award year will be placed onto a “financial assistance warning” status for one academic year by K-State’s Office of Student Financial Assistance.
A student will be removed from the warning status if he or she successfully removes any deficiencies and/or raises his or her cumulative GPA to a 2.0. during the academic year.
Failure to remedy either one of the noted components within one academic year will result in the student being placed onto a “financial assistance exclusion” status.
Graduate Financial Assistance Warning
Students who fail to meet K-State’s satisfactory academic progress standards at the end of the spring semester will be placed on financial assistance “warning” for the following semester. At the conclusion of the following academic year, the student’s academic progress will, once again, be measured. The student will be reinstated into the “satisfactory” academic progress status if he/she has met K-State’s standards. However, a student will be placed on financial assistance “exclusion” status if he/she has failed to meet K-State’s academic progress standards.
Financial assistance exclusion
Students who have reached the maximum allowable hours for which financial assistance may be received and/or who have failed to remove themselves from the “financial assistance warning” status will be placed onto “financial assistance exclusion.” Students on financial assistance exclusion will be denied financial assistance until they meet the qualifications for satisfactory academic progress listed above.
Students may appeal their exclusion status by filing a satisfactory academic progress appeal. Appeal forms may be obtained at K-State’s Office of Student Financial Assistance. The appeal requires statements from both the student and the student’s academic advisor to be considered complete.
An appeal may be either approved or denied. If approved, financial assistance may be awarded to the student subject to its availability for the semester in question. Decisions regarding satisfactory academic progress appeals are final and not subject to further review.
Transfer students
If a transfer student meets established federal guidelines for student aid eligibility, he or she may receive financial assistance at K-State. The first evaluation of a transfer student’s academic progress at K-State occurs at the same time as the scheduled review of all financial aid recipients at the end of the spring semester. Credit hours earned by a student at another institution will only be included in satisfactory academic calculations after K-State’s Office of Admissions has formally accepted the transfer credits. |
